Wonky and Woot-tasitc Wednesday

It's Wednesday! Congrats we've made it through half the week!

Wonky:
   - This heat is going to kill me! Seriously, it's ridiculous. What's even more sad, is this is much cooler than it usually is. Gotta love Texas.
   - I really think that Rebel has brain damage. He was looking at his tail, then wagging it... and then seemed totally shocked that it was moving.
   - I went over to my sisters so she could get some stuff off my laptop. I drove all the way there, went to grab my laptop out of my car and realized... it was still sitting by the front door at my house.
   - I got sick at Ryan's apartment and he saw me throw up... who said after 5 years we didn't have any more "firsts"? It was horrible.
   - This whole Kristen Stewart cheated on Robert Pattinson thing is annoying. Seriously, is anyone even surprised? I would be more shocked to actually see the chick change expressions or close her mouth. Now that would make the headlines! (Sorry, was that too mean?)

Woot-tastic:
   - I ordered my "Bring Lila Home" shirt and it should be here today or tomorrow! The money from the shirts is going to some dear dear friends of ours to fund the adoption of a little girl from India! The shirts are adorable. Click here to check them out and here to see their blog and keep up with their story! I can't wait to meet her!
   - Mom, Maegan, Aunt Emily and I are all going into business together. We've started the process of opening up a wedding/event planning business. We had our very first business meeting Monday morning. WOOT!
   - I really have the best kitty ever. He like to cuddle, he greets us at the door and he even sits by the door and waits for me to get home late at night. You can't really do anything to make him bite or scratch you. I don't even think I've heard him hiss at someone (Rebel doesn't count). He's pretty awesome.
   - Speaking of awesome, Ryan is pretty awesome too. He took care of me while I was all gross and unattractive and even turned on Supernatural to make me feel better. True love <3.

Well, that's my Southern Soapbox. Sorry, no pictures this week :(. See y'all Friday!

Things You Should Know If You Live in Texas

From heat to social misconceptions, there are all kinds of things that you should know if you live in Texas.

Things to know:
- The above sign telling people to drive friendly- "The Texas way" is a load of crap. We do not drive friendly. At all.
- If the speed limit says 45, everyone will be doing at least 50-55. Always. If someone is doing the speed limit they are obviously not from here.

- Always have a towel in your car. Not for spills but for safety. Especially if you have leather interior. With this Texas heat the leather will burn your legs. Sometimes my steering wheel gets so hot that I can't touch it.

- Give some time for the hot air to escape your car before getting in it. Open the door, put down the windows and wait.
- If it rains, ices or snows do yourself a favor and don't go anywhere. It tends to render Texas drivers incapable of driving.... either they over compensate and do WAY under the speed limit when it's just sprinkling outside or they don't compensate at all when the roads are covered in ice.
- Due to the small amounts of freezing conditions we receive in Texas, cities are never prepared when the roads ice over, which means EVERYTHING closes. One snowflake falls and Texas ceases to operate.

- It's not uncommon to be driving down the road and on one side is the neighborhood where a Dallas Cowboy's football player lives and on the other side is the ghetto.

- When house hunting, expect every house to have foundation issues. 

- We do not have dirt in Texas. We have "Texas clay", the cause of those foundation issues that you will inevitably have.

- It's not uncommon for it to be 77 degrees out 3 days before Christmas and then have ice on the roads on Christmas Eve. Never pack away your summer clothes, you will use them year round.

- It's not uncommon to see a farm smack dab in the middle of the city. Sheep, cows, horses, zebras, camels, and alpacas all reside within the Dallas City limits. And not necessarily in a zoo.

- Most people that live in and around Dallas are not actually from here and therefore most people do not walk around in cowboy hats and boots. Most people have probably never even touched a horse (this one does not apply to me. I've been riding since I was 5. But then, I wasn't born here :P).

- When driving on 635, there is no such thing as "rush hour traffic" there will always be a traffic jam. Even at 3am.

- Also, for the 17 years I have lived here I don't think there has been a time when 635 was NOT under construction.

- It really is true that most everyone in Texas drives a truck. We have the highest truck sales in the nation.

- When traveling to Mississippi (an 8hr trip) it takes about 4 hours just to get out of Texas. The joys of living in the 2nd largest state in the country.

- Braums is the best place for ice cream.

- Texas cannot actually secede from the union. Read here if you don't believe me.
- It is possible for it to be too hot to go swimming. Pretty much any time between late June and early September the pool will feel like bath water (sometimes that time period changes. You never know in Texas).


I'm sure there are other things that I am just so used to and am not really thinking of. While this list does have some amusing things on it, they are indeed all true.

That's my Southern Soapbox! PS. I'm sorry for missing this weeks Wonky and Woot-tastic, I hope this makes up for it a little bit!

Fashion Friday: Business Meeting

It's Fashion Friday! For those of you who don't know I am in the very early processes of starting a wedding, or event planning (like I said, it's in the early stages) business. Not long from now I will be meeting with potential vendors and clients so I decided to put together this little outfit for business meetings. Instead of a clutch, I might use a large black tote so I have something to put all my brochures, business plans and other documents I might need.

Business Meeting by jastevenson

Well, that's my Southern Soapbox! I hope you like the dress and accessories! I think it's super cute! 

Maizy Music

Happy Monday (as if there's such a thing)! I only have one song this week but it has been stuck in my head for over a week now!

Like I said last week, I've been listening to a lot of country music lately. Almost every country music song reminds me of home in Mississippi but Rodney Atkins' song "Take A Back Road" really makes me miss home. This song was written by Rhett Akins and Luke Laird and sung by country music singer Rodney Atkins. It was released in April of 2011. In 2011 it reached number one on the US Country Songs Billboard.

The song is about a guy that is stuck in traffic and starts day dreaming about driving down a back road. This song speaks to my country soul and makes me want to take a back road. I usually catch myself speeding a little bit when this song comes on. There's just something about driving in south Mississippi (where every road is a back road). There are no traffic jams, there aren't red lights every 5 feet and people wave when you drive past them. I also think that, for me, this song speaks to how busy people are in the city. We always have some where to go and not enough time to get there. Everyone is pushing their way through the herd of cars crammed on the highway moving at 5mph (or not moving at all). In south Mississippi the mentality is VERY different. You'll get there when you get there, there's no need to cut someone off. Just relax turn on some George Strait and enjoy the ride.

Take A Back Road by Rodney Atkins

Well that's my Southern Soapbox! I hope you enjoyed the song and it spoke to your inner country soul like it does mine. 

Fashion Friday: Girls Night in Texas

I know, it's a day late. I'm sorry.

I put this together based off an outfit that I actually wore. It's great for a hot Texas night out with the boyfriend, hubby or the girls. Nice and cool for our Texas heat but cute and classy enough to wear out.

Girls Night in Texas by jastevenson

I didn't have all the cute accessories but it's pretty much the same outfit. It was really comfy and I got several compliments on it. Sorry the picture isn't great, Ryan took it with my phone and the sun was starting to go down.

Well that's my fashionable Southern Soapbox! Have a great weekend!

Wonky and Woot-tastic Wednesday

It's hump day! I hope y'all have been having a great week!

Wonky:
   - I have been trying to go to the gym every day, starting this week. So far so good, but that doesn't mean I ENJOY going. Once I get there it's not so bad and once I'm finished I'm really glad I went but the "pep talk" leading up to going is actually really depressing. It goes something like this. "Don't you want to be all fit and good looking? Like Katherine Heigl!" Then I realize that I will probably never look like Katherine Heigl and then all I want to do is eat ice cream and Oreos. Probably best to avoid the "pep talks" and just go to the gym huh?
   - I usually go to the gym at night because I'm too lazy to get up in the morning and go and also then I can go home, shower, relax and go to bed. The downfall to this time slot is it is also apparently when all the stupid teenager (they may not be teens but they act like them) boys decide to go to the gym too. That wouldn't be a problem if they actually worked out but instead they just play on the equipment and hoot and holler at each other. Thankfully they're smart enough to leave me alone.
   - I really do think you should have to take a test to become a parent. There are some total idiots running around that are actually responsible for raising good, productive citizens. We're all screwed.
   - The news is the most depressing thing EVER! Does anything good ever get reported? No. Not once. I don't watch the news simply for that reason.
   - Any time I mention babies, or anything related to babies people always think I'm pregnant. It's really starting to drive me INSANE! No, I am not pregnant. I work with kids for a living. I'm around them ALL THE TIME so odds are, I'm going to mention them from time to time. And the reason I go to baby stores is because I have a nephew that is 2 years old. Believe me, if I were pregnant (which I won't be for a while) posting a picture of me in a baby store, or saying something about holding a baby is not how I would announce it. So until you see me or hear me say "I am pregnant" I AM NOT PREGNANT! Thanks!

Woot-tastic:

   - I got TWO pairs of new shoes yesterday! They were on sale for $30 each, and considering they're Steve Madden's that's an amazing deal! So I got two pairs of shoes for just over $60! YAY ME... now to find an excuse to wear them!

   - I am now on Tumblr and Instagram. My Instagram "name" is JulieAnne1991. I haven't totally figured out how to work either one of those things, especially Instagram, so wish me luck!

   - RaceTrack coffee is actually really really good. They are pretty much the only local place that I can buy from since I don't drink Starbucks anymore. Also, you can get a 24oz coffee from RaceTrack or QuickTrip for less than $2 (including taxes). I'm pretty sure Starbucks tall coffee isn't even that cheap lol.

   - Ryan gave me permission to decorate his apartment! He has been living there for a year and has literally nothing on the walls. Nothing. So I found the picture above at Bed Bath and Beyond. It's street names in Dallas! Mockingbird Lane, Lovers Lane, Dallas North Tollway and tons of other popular street names here in Dallas. My idea is to find pictures of popular bars in Dallas and from them around this picture. If that is too hard then I'll do major landmarks in Dallas. I also have a surprise that I am having a great friend work on for another "art project"! I am SO EXCITED for Ryan to see it! It will hopefully be ready next week so I will post pictures of it after Ryan sees it! SO EXCITED!!!!!!

   - This probably should go under "wonky" because it's a little odd but it's "woot-tastic" too. Maegan and I have been watching Supernatural together. I have already watched all the seasons and am waiting for season 8 to start (on my birthday!). In the meantime I have been watching with Maegan, but we aren't always together when we watch. Instead, we call each other say "1..2...3..GO" and on "GO" we push play. Yes, we watch Supernatural together through the phone. We are that awesome.

   - The music in Monday's Maizy Music post was pretty much awesome. I really enjoyed doing the research for American Pie. It's really interesting to see other people's interpretations of the music!

Well, that's it for my Southern Soapbox! I hope you enjoyed! I am off to the gym (without a pep talk)!

Maizy Music

Last week I did my first Maizy Music post! I hope y'all enjoy this weeks as much as you seemed to enjoy last weeks post!

If you don't know the following song then you are not human, or you're REALLY REALLY young and shouldn't be online without adult supervision (but even that's not an excuse). What song is that you ask? None other than Don McLean's American Pie. Like I said, if you don't know it then there's something seriously wrong. Don McLean released this iconic hit in 1971, in part, to mourn the death of Buddy Holly. The first verse and line "The day the music died" refers to the 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper (Jiles Perry Richardson JR). Apart from that verse McLean never told what his original meaning to the song was. He insisted that "Music is beyond analysis, much like poetry" and that people should interpret it for themselves. A popular theory for the remainder of the song is that it has to do with the events of the 60's (the Kennedy and MLK assassination for example). Another theory is that Don McLean wrote it regarding the events of the Altamont Free Concert but since McLean never said this to be true there is no way to know for sure. There are also TONS of references to American-Folk songs ("The Book Of Love" by the Monotones, Don Cornell's "The Bible Tells Me So", "Helter Skelter" by the Beatles and many many more) and other popular 60's activities, like a sock hop (the line "You both kicked off you shoes").

American Pie by Don McLean

Let's mix it up shall we? I have been on a country music kick lately. I grew up listening to country music and still love it. I particularly love the song American Honey by Lady Antebellum. It was released in January of 2010 and was written by the members of the Lady Antebellum band, Hilary Lindsay, Cary Barlowe, and Shane Stevens. There isn't too much mystery as to the songs meaning. It is about the desire to escape the pressures and responsibility of adult hood and go back in time to a much simpler time of childhood. I was surprised to find out that this song was not well received by critics. Personally, I love the song. It makes me immediately nostalgic for home, and by home I do not mean Texas. Despite the fact that I was born in Alabama and have lived in Texas since I was three years old, I do not consider either of those places to be 'home'. Home is south Mississippi. I spent every summer of my childhood their and loved every moment of it. This song takes me back to riding horses with my two cousins, swimming in the river and playing Indians and I often find myself wishing I could go back to that time. "Nothing's sweeter than summertime".

American Honey by Lady Antebellum

Well, that's my musical Southern Soapbox! I hope you enjoyed the songs and learning a little something about me! Have a great week!

Things You Should Know How To Do Before Driving a Car

Before I started driving my dad made sure I knew how to do a few things and I believe that everyone should have these skills.

1. Check your own oil and other fluids and be able to refill them if needed. I don't mean that you need to know how to change your oil and bleed your brakes (although it wouldn't hurt to know that too) but you shouldn't need to rely on a guy for something like checking or refilling your oil. You should also know what kind of oil to get for your car.

2. Change a flat tire. Obviously, there will not always be someone to do it for you and you won't always be able to have AAA come do it for you. It's not very hard just requires a little muscle. I use my legs to tighten and loosen the lug nuts. It works until you can get some where and use a pneumatic torque wrench (you should also know what that means if you don't already. It's the really loud wrench they use at Good Year to loosen the lug nuts on your car. It's hooked up to an air compressor and makes sure all the lug nuts are properly tightened and your wheel won't fall off, cuz that would be a bummer). Also know that the spare tire is not the same thing as a regular tire. Most spares or "donuts" are much much smaller and not meant to be driven on for long periods of time.

3. How to check tire pressure and put air in a tire. Always keep a tire pressure gauge in your "emergency car kit". You should also know how much air should be in your tired. This is indicated on door panel where the door latch is and in the car manual. Most cars are around 32 psi.

4. Know how to use jumper cables and keep them in your car. Write down the following steps and keep them in the car: 1st attach the red clamp to the positive terminal (usually has red paint on it but always has a plus sign) of the dead battery 2nd attach the red clamp to the positive terminal of the live battery 3rd attach the black clamp to the negative terminal to the live battery 4th attach the black clamp to the negative terminal on your car 5th start your car 6th remove the clamps in reverse order

5. Know how to steer out of a skid by steering into the skid. Sounds counter intuitive doesn't it? But it's true. If you hit a patch of water or ice and start skidding turn INTO the skin, not out of it. DO NOT slam on the breaks! Keep your foot on the accelerator and let off the pressure just a little. Then, if you are skidding to the right (clockwise) very gently turn the steering wheel to the left. Do not jerk the wheel, gentle fluid motions. I have also been told that you can just let go of the steering wheel entirely and the car will straighten itself out but that idea totally freaks me out so I don't do that.

Well, that's my Southern Soapbox. If there's anything else you think of to add to the list let me know in the comments and I will add it to the list!

Fashion Friday: 4th Of July in White AND In Stripes!

Happy Friday y'all! I realize that this would have been MUCH more helpful BEFORE the 4th of July and I apologize for not thinking of that BUT now you have ideas for next year! I'll try to anticipate the holidays and do "holiday fashion" in advance! But, for now here ya go! AND instead of one outfit, I did two. I couldn't decide on just one dress.

4th Of July in White by jastevenson

Stripes Forever by jastevenson

In Texas I am always look for cool, breathable clothes and maxi dresses are the perfect cross between comfy and cool and yet they're still nice enough to dress up and go out in without looking like you just rolled out of bed.

Well, that's my fashionable Southern Soapbox! I hope you liked the outfits! Let me know what you think in the comments below and if you like them share them on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, Twitter or whatever other social media you use!

Stars and Stripes in Texas

                                                               

This year for the 4th of July I went with Mom, Dad, sister Maegan, brother in law Andrew, nephew AJ, and boyfriend Ryan to a nearby neighborhood to watch fireworks. It was pretty awesome! They had gourmet food trucks, bounce houses, music and of course, fireworks. It was so much fun and I got a lot of great pictures! Considering we live in Texas, the heat wasn't too bad. It was in the upper 90's with a nice breeze. Like I said, for Texas it wasn't too bad. We had a great time!

That's my patriotic Southern Soapbox! I hope you all enjoyed your Independence Day!